Last week we went to Huntsville,TX. The original McAdams ranch is there. The ranch was started in 1830! Now it is 6,000 acres and split into two parts of 3,000 acres and leased by two different people. This was interesting to see because the land is very similar but the management practices and the herds are very different between the leasers. The commercial herd are typical brangus crosses that are heavier and more uniform. The other is a corriente breed herd. These cattle where the first cattle brought to the U.S. by the Spanish, they are very hardy, a lot lighter in weight and typically used for roping stock. The herds requirements are totally different. The heavier cows that produce bigger calves need more energy in order to get heavier calves and to keep the cows fatter so they will re-breed this year. It was very visible that the land in this herd is managed more. There were less weeds, more calves and the cattle were more contained in one area ( meaning they rotate pastures more often). The corrientes were very scattered. We found large and small herds almost everywhere we drove, which gives the land no rest. Texas is in and has been in a drought for a few years now. So, micro managing the land is essential for future success in the longevity of usefulness of the land. Where the cattle had been allowed to go for long periods of time, the areas became sandy and native sunflowers have come in. The sunflowers are beautiful, there are so many fields that are golden. But, charm is deceiptive. The plant hold little nutrition compared to grass so it isn't good to have.
Huntsville, is known for being the past home of Sam Houston, the first governer of Texas and Sam Houston University. The prison there was where a lot of the wild west outlaws were held. Another tidbit is that Jim's grandfather started the Texas Prison Rodeo back in 1931. The inmates participated in the rodeo and a few years there were crowds of over 100,000 people. Sounds pretty cool. But, in 1986, the state shut it down because of costly repairs to the rodeo arena.
I haven't said much about the family I am working for/ living with yet. They are great. Molly, is a UF alum and got her Ph.D. from Texas Tech. She was Vice President of Own Brand fro HEB were she developed brands and marketing strategies. Her specialty is meat science but, from what I have experienced she is a walking encyclopedia on any topic. Now, She is co-owner of OM3, a meat retail consulting firm. Jim McAdams, has had many prestigious cattle and agricultural leadership roles. He was manager of the Spade ranches from 1993 to 2003 and was NCBA president in 2005. Their son, John Kohl, at 8 years old, has become one of my best friends out here. He is extremely mature, bright and adventurous which makes his company very enjoyable. Then there is Flossie, my other best friend here, she is a corgi that is always close to my side which makes me feel more at home.
So far, what I have learned the most here is professionalism and leadership. Both Molly and Jim are extremely successful in what they do. They have gotten there not only because of their levels of expertise but, their well roundedness, "polish," excellent speaking and communicating skills, degree of excellence in work and their ability to lead others. All of these are qualities that may come more naturally to some but, they are qualities we all can have if we put in the time to learn and execute them. In a way I feel as though I am Anne Hathaway in The Devil Wears Prada but, I have much nicer of a boss. Molly expects everything to be consise, simple and correct. For the first time I am analyzing what I say, write and wear more than ever before. I've never taken this much time or had someone so precise to oversee me in these areas.
I am really getting to be an intern, which is different again for me because I am used to getting my hands dirty instead of sitting and watching. I have been able to see how food processing companies like RMH "invent" foods and labels and see how brands get created.
I've also had the opportunity to work with Jim and earn some money on the side doing jobs around the ranch. To make it simple, lets just say I've become a lot more handy!
Next week I will be interning with TSCRA (Texas and Southwest Cattle Raisers Association) in Fort Worth and Fredricksburg for their board of directors meeting. The week after that I am planning on spending a week at a feedlot near by. I think that these next two weeks might be my favorite time here so, I am excited about that :)
